Passengers to be refunded for lost flights

British Airways passengers whose flights have been cancelled at fog-shrouded airports are entitled to a full refund, the airline said today.

BA was not obliged to offer compensation as the problem is weather-related.

But a BA spokesman said today: "We did not have to offer refunds but in the circumstances we felt it was the right thing to do."

BA has had to axe around 600 flights over the last three days, including all their domestic services in and out of Heathrow.

A number of short-haul services to European destinations also had to be cancelled as air traffic controllers limit the number of hourly take-offs and landings because of the fog.

To add to the strain on BA's finances, the airline has been putting passengers up at accommodation in the Heathrow area as well as laying on coaches to get passengers from the west London airport to UK destinations.

The fog chaos brings to an end a troubled year for BA. Just as the airline has borne the brunt of this week's Christmas getaway crisis, it was also centrestage when a thwarted airline terrorism plot last August led to tougher security at airports.

The disruption caused by the new carry-on baggage requirements resulted in BA having to cancel around 1,270 flights. At one point the airline was struggling to reunite thousands of passengers with their luggage.

The August disruption cost BA around £100 million. No figure has yet been put on the fog disruption but the airline again faces a hefty bill, once again through no fault of its own.